The new-look Natwest T20 Blast does not begin until May 16, but Hampshire are keen to confirm Dimi Mascarenhas’s replacement as captain in the shortest format before this Sunday’s LV County Championship opener against Worcestershire.

Hampshire were considering giving the role to Dale Benkenstein, before he decided to focus on his role as the county’s new first-team coach. So, having been named as Jimmy Adams’ vice-captain in the Championship, Vince is the favourite to take on the leadership of Hampshire’s T20 side.

He said: “I’d love to do it, I’ll just have to wait and see. “I didn’t hesitate when I was offered the vice-captaincy, I’m looking forward to working more closely with Jimmy and helping him in any way I can.”

Vince, who turned 23 three weeks ago, has captaincy experience in age-group cricket but is unconcerned at having very little in the T20 format.

“Generally we have a template with how we play T20 cricket with everyone on the same wavelength,” he said.

“During certain periods you may need something a little different but generally it’s about quick decision making and can be quite straight forward.

“You have to be instinctive and go with your gut.” Vince’s captaincy credentials give more credence to his moniker as ‘the new Michael Vaughan’. “There’s been no doubt about his potential for a number of years and he came on a huge amount last year, things really clicked for him," says Adams.

“And I don’t think it’s any coincidence at all that he matured as a person as his cricket came on leaps and bounds.

“This time last year he might have been seen as a left-field pick. But the way he went about last season and, by all accounts, his winter with the Lions is a really good thing for him and the club.

"He thinks about the game and he’s confident and competitive with a lot of strong leadership traits that bode well for the club down the line.”

Vince was outstanding last year, scoring an aggregate of 1,766 runs. Adams believes his form will thrive with the extra responsibility.

“We don’t want to inhibit his game because if he goes well this year hopefully he’ll be in the frame for England, but he seems ok with it and I think he’ll go well this year,” Adams continued.

“It might be that in hindsight he could do without some pressures here and there but pressure will follow him around - he’ll be stepping up a level at some point.”